Summary
Three patients with familial antithrombin III (ATIII) deficiency, who also have histories
of thromboembolism, were treated with oxymetholone in combination with warfarin. Thrombolysis
was observed in one patient with acute thrombosis of inferior vena cava during the
oxymetholone and warfarin therapy. No further thromboembolic episodes occurred in
these patients after initiation of warfarin with or without oxymetholone. The levels
of plasma ATIII, α1-antitrypsin, plasminogen and Cl-inactivator were significantly increased in all patients
after the introduction of oxymetholone therapy. This suggests that oxymetholone augments
anticoagulant and fibrinolytic activity. Hence we consider that oxymetholone in combination
with warfarin may be possible thrombolytic therapy in patients with familial ATIII
deficiency.
Keywords
Familial antithrombin III deficiency - Thromboembolism - Thrombolysis - Oxymetholone
- warfarin
